Risk Junior (2019) Board Game

Risk Junior is a children’s version of the classic strategy board game Risk, designed to be more accessible and engaging for younger players. Released in 2019 by Hasbro, this nautical-themed game introduces kids to the world of pirates and adventure on the high seas. With simplified rules and gameplay mechanics, Risk Junior is perfect for children aged 5 and up to enjoy with their friends and family.

Game Components of Risk Junior

Gameboard

4 Ship Tokens

32 Pirate Tokens (8 of each color)

2 Dice

12 Treasure Cards

Instructions

How To Setup Risk Junior

To set up the game, each player chooses a color and takes a ship token and 8 pirate tokens. Treasure cards are shuffled and placed face down on each island on the board, except for the center island. The youngest player places one of their pirate tokens on an island, followed by each subsequent player to their left until all islands but the center one are occupied. All pirate ships start on the middle skull island.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Dice Rolling: Players roll dice to resolve battles.

Territory Control: Players move their ship to adjacent islands and battle for control.

Treasure Collection: Players collect treasure cards from conquered islands.

Game Objective

The objective is to score the most points by acquiring treasure and controlling islands.

Players continue turns until all treasures are claimed.

Points are calculated from the number of coins on treasure cards and the number of islands controlled.

Player Experience

Risk Junior is designed for children aged 5 and up, aiming to be completed within 20-60 minutes. The game is light on strategy but high on luck, making it accessible for young players. Each turn involves moving a ship to a new island, potentially triggering a battle if the island is already occupied. Battles are simple, with the higher die roll determining the winner.

Pros

Simple to Understand: Easy rules make it accessible for young children.

Quick Games: Matches are relatively short, fitting within a child’s attention span.

Basic Skill Development: Encourages counting, color recognition, and social interaction.

Cons

Limited Strategy: The game relies heavily on luck rather than strategic thinking.

Two-Player Issues: The two-player game can be unbalanced due to the defender winning ties.

Repetitive: The gameplay can become repetitive and may lose interest quickly.

Personal Thoughts on Risk Junior

Risk Junior is clearly designed for young children, focusing on basic skills like counting and color recognition rather than complex strategies. While it may lack the depth and excitement of the full Risk game, it serves as a gentle introduction to board gaming. However, parents may find the game too simplistic and reliant on luck, and some may wish to introduce minor rule changes to enhance the experience. Overall, it is a game tailored for toddlers and early school-age children, preparing them for more complex games as they grow older.

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